Manitoba Harvest Hemp Protein Powders are Now Known as Hemp Yeah!

Manitoba Harvest has been a pioneer in the world of hemp. They were the first to release a water soluble hemp protein concentrate that didn’t leave a gritty or sandy taste behind. And they’ve since added several more options, from higher fiber to gently sweetened flavors. In 2020, they also rebranded their entire hemp product line as Hemp Yeah!

Hemp Yeah! is still Manitoba Harvest Hemp Protein Powder

As a heads up, these hemp protein powders should be used raw. Heating them may destroy some of those wonderful Omega3 fatty acids. They should be fine when added to your morning hot cereal once cooked. However, avoid adding these hemp protein powders to anything before they head to the stove or oven.

I had the opportunity to taste-test a range of Manitoba Harvest hemp protein powders, and was quite surprised at the different tastes and virtues they each possessed. They are all pretty basic, made simply from hemp seeds, but as you can see by looking at the pictures, these are completely different products. (Please note that my pictures show their old packaging and branding, but the product inside is the same!)

Hemp Yeah Max Protein (formerly Hemp Pro 70 (70% protein))

This wonder hemp protein concentrate really does perform as advertised. To taste this is the naturally “sweetest” of the three flagship hemp protein powders. I put that in quotes, as this isn’t a sugary protein powder mix, it is just the hemp and natural plant extracts. But it wasn’t bitter, as I had expected. In fact, the flavor melded nicely in my smoothies rather than overwhelming in any way. Also, it was palatable on its own, just shaken with water.

As for the texture, there is no dominating grit, just a nice smooth powder that really does blend in!  I have been taste-testing quite a few protein powders lately, and this is one of my favorites. It even has a better feel and taste than brown rice protein, which tends to be very thick and powdery.

Beyond smoothies, I thought the Max Protein worked wonderfully as a healthy thickener in salad dressings. It changes the taste slightly, but the consistency is virtually seamless.

Hemp Yeah Balanced Protein + Fiber (formerly Hemp Pro 50 (50% protein))

Though it’s the middle of the pack in terms of protein content, this version was the grittiest of the three primary hemp protein powders. I still didn’t find it off-putting, but it won’t be as soluble in water (or dressings). It was the second in line in sweetness, with the hemp seed flavor creeping in just a little more. Less protein, rougher texture, not as sweet … You might be wondering, why would anyone choose this over the Max Protein?

The lower protein in the Balanced Protein Powder is offset with some extra fiber. According to the company, it also has a higher ratio of Omega3 fatty acids, and is cold-milled – a process that some people may prefer.

Hemp Yeah! Max Fiber (formerly Organic Hemp Pro Fiber)

The name of this one pretty much gives away its core benefits. It’s certified organic and higher in fiber (13 grams per serving!). Surprisingly, this protein powder is in the middle ground in terms of texture. It’s finer than the Balanced, but just a bit coarser than the Max Protein. However, of the three base hemp protein powders, it tastes the most genuinely like hemp seeds.

Again, it is perfect for smoothies. But due to the seedier taste and lack of solubility, it won’t perform as well when simply mixed with water or milk beverage. Nonetheless, it will probably still work nicely as a thickener in things such as salad dressings.

Hemp Yeah! Organic Vanilla

Curious, I tasted just a bit of this protein powder straight. It was actually quite pleasant; lightly sweet, nutty, and gently vanilla in flavor.

I tested it first just mixed with milk beverage. Unfortunately, it failed to mix in well, quickly sinking to the bottom of my beverage after each stir. The flavor was good, but I really couldn’t taste the vanilla as much as I wanted.

On the second go, I went the smoothie route. Jackpot! I blended 1 frozen banana (broken into chunks) with ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk and ¼ cup of the vanilla protein powder. It was a delicious post-workout reward with a great recovery ration (4 carbs to 1 protein). The banana actually helped to enhance the vanilla flavor and assisted with distributing the hemp powder.

Hemp Yeah! Organic Chocolate

When tasted straight, the dark chocolate and hemp flavors in this protein powder didn’t quite meld, but in smoothie form, they were excellent. I followed my basic smoothie formula above, but used unsweetened coconut milk beverage instead of almond milk.

The beverage had a very nice, gentle chocolate flavor that was indeed on the dark chocolate side, but did not overwhelm. It was slightly sweet, but not too sweet, making it an excellent post workout drink. I don’t know about you, but my taste buds tend to be more sensitive after a good bout of exercise. If I were craving a sweeter shake, then I would blend in 1 softened date.

Like the vanilla, there was that slight granular consistency, but it was very mild in the smoothie, and to be expected with natural hemp protein powders. This variety was my husband’s top pick, but it may have helped that he cocoa masked the green color.

The Facts on Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! Hemp Protein Powders

Price: $14.49 to $18.99 per 1-lb container (other sizes available)

Certifications: Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! Hemp Protein Powders are Non-GMO Verified and Certified Kosher Parve. Select varieties are Certified Organic.

Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! Hemp Protein Powders are dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian. Select varieties are paleo.*

For More Product Information: Visit the Manitoba Harvest website at manitobaharvest.com.

*Always read the ingredient and nutrition statement prior to consumption. Ingredients, processes, and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company or product. Contact the company to discuss their manufacturing processes if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. No food product can be guaranteed “safe” for every individual’s needs. You should never rely on ingredient and allergen statements alone if dealing with a severe food allergy.